chai giving circle: past cohorts
Host Committee: Vera Baum, Maddy Chaleff, Mimi Ezray, Catherine Crystal Foster, Andi Frenkel, Lori Krolik, Steve Levy, Karen Orzechowski, Orli Rinat, Susan Sims, Shannon Stein, Emily Wu
Elaine Andersen Mikhal Bouganim Michelle de Haaff Beth Delson Anya Drabkin Charlotte Epstein Linda Fresco
Yael Goshen Susie Hwang Lori Kaplan Jill Kasser Wendy Kleckner Adele Lieberman Dana Phillips
Shelley Rosenthal Vivian Saper Beth-Ann Schwabacher-Wenger Susan Stark Judith Wasserman Viviane Wildmann Jennifer Wolosin
The 2026–2027 OFJCC Pop-Up Giving Circle focused on a pressing issue in our community: food insecurity and ensuring that everyone in our community has access to nutritious, dignified meals. In just one evening, a dedicated group of community members came together to learn about the growing need in the Bay Area, hear from a local expert and engage deeply with organizations working to combat hunger in innovative and impactful ways.
Together, we made meaningful investments in programs that are expanding food access, reducing barriers and strengthening our community. We’re proud of this year’s cohort and grateful to our Giving Circle participants for their curiosity, commitment and generosity. Funds were awarded directly to local Bay Area organizations, including: Ayudando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS), Fresh Approach and Loaves and Fishes.
Host Committee: Vera Baum, Maddy Chaleff, Mimi Ezray, Andi Frenkel, Karen Orzechowski, Orli Rinat, Nicole Singer, Shannon Stein
Julie Arnheim Jill Asher Leslie Behar Lorraine Brown Viviane Cohen Catherine Crystal Foster Beth Delson Yudy Deng
Lori Kaplan Steve Levy Janice Lisbonne Susan Mirbach Karen Rau Tina Rosenblum Nancy Rudin Lauren Segal
Heather Shaw Susan Sims Deborah Sloss Debra Stout Tzipor Ulman Beth-Ann Wenger Emily Wu
The 2024-2025 OFJCC Giving Circle focused on a powerful theme: Young Adult Jewish Engagement—a crucial area for cultivating the next generation of Jewish leaders. Over several months, a dedicated group of donors came together to explore emerging trends, hear from national and local experts, and engage deeply with many incredible applicant organizations.
Together, we made meaningful investments in programs that are innovating, inspiring and building vibrant Jewish life for young adults. We’re proud of this year’s cohort—and grateful to our Giving Circle participants for their curiosity, commitment and vision. The funds were awarded directly to local Bay Area initiatives, with the following grantees: LUNAR Collective, OneTable, Honeymoon Israel and the OFJCC’s young adult program, ENGAJ.
Host Committee: Madeline Chaleff, Cynthia Cohan, Andi Frenkel, Karen Orzechowski, Nicole Singer, Sarah Smithline, Shannon Stein
Julie Arnheim Vera Baum Lauren Berman Mikhal Bouganim Lorraine Brown Kathy Crankshaw Catherine Crystal Foster Yudy Deng
Alison Elliot Mimi Ezray Liza Hausman Lori Kaplan Stephen Levy Janice Lisbonne Wendy Miller Susan Mirbach
Rosita Newman Susie Richardson Orli Rinat Annie Rubin Susan Sims Deborah Sloss Beth Wenger Emily Wu
This year’s OFJCC Chai Giving Circle focus area was “Solidarity.” For the first time since the Chai Giving Circle’s inception in 2016, the focus in 2023-2024 was solely on the Jewish community—supporting Israelis traumatized by the October 7th attacks and learning how antisemitism and misinformation impact our local community. Together, 30 community members learned about and supported our local Jewish community organizations that stepped up for our community since the October 7th attacks on Israel. We are delighted to grant funds to American Jewish Committee, Hillel of Silicon Valley, Hillel at Stanford, Jewish Community Federation & Endowment and Jewish Community Relations Council. Together, the group learned, healed and made an impact.
Host Committee: Madeline Chaleff, Andi Frenkel, Liza Hausman, Lori Krolik, Orli Rinat, Nicole Singer, Shannon Stein
Julie Arnheim Vera Baum Lauren Berman Lorraine Brown Cindy Cohan Yudy Deng Mimi Ezray Catherine Crystal Foster
Jennifer Foster Jinghan Hao Lori Kaplan Laura Keller Wendy Kaplan Miller Susan Mirbach Rosita Newman Karen Orzechowski
Aliza Peleg Tracy Shedroff Rebecca Shomair Julie Shulman Susan Sims Abigail Sooy Emily Wu
A group of 30 community members pooled their charitable donations, expanded their knowledge and collaborated in support of addressing mental health issues here in our area. After learning about the topic, the group researched local organizations doing good work. Ultimately, we granted funds to Ravenswood Family Health Network, NAMI Santa Clara, and El Camino Foundation’s MOMS program.
Host Committee: Julia Agam, Leslie Behar, Amy Berg, Madeline Chaleff, Andi Frenkel, Alina Libova, Rebecca Shomair, Nicole Singer
Agam Family Behar Family Berg Family Berman Family Chaleff/Arfin Family Frenkel Family
Greenberg Family Gunn Family Hudesman Family Lapidus/Margolin Family Libova Family Leslie Family Preschool Teachers
Sharon/Koskas Family Shomair Family Singer Family Smithline Family Thiel Prizant Family
A group of 16 OFJCC Leslie Family Preschool and alumni families pooled their resources in support of Ukraine at our first-ever giving circle for the preschool community. At our second one-time, pop-up giving circle of the year, the group granted funds to NOVA Ukraine and The Survivor Mitzvah Project.
Host Committee: Leslie Behar, Madeline Chaleff, Cynthia Cohan, Andi Frenkel, Wendy Miller, Beth-Ann Schwabacher-Wenger, Rebecca Shomair, Shannon Stein
Mallary Alcheck Julie Arnheim Cheryl Bader Vera Baum Sabrina Braham Margarita Casanova Cohen Alison Elliott Mimi Ezray Catherine Crystal Foster Jennifer Foster Hillary Frank Lisa Friedman Yael Goshen
Liza Hausman Sandy Hirsh Miranda Junowicz Lori Kaplan Dana Kleiman Sheryl Klein Dana Kornfeld Lori Krolik Elaine Leff Aliza Peleg Orli Rinat Talya Ronen
Debbie Roose Lisa Rothstein Susan Steiner Saal Jennie Savage Emily Scheinman Sara Schnell Pamela Shames Susan Sims Deborah Sloss Kate Vanzanten Viviane Wildmann Emily Wu
A group of 45 women pooled their resources in support of Local Afghan Resettling at our first-ever pop-up giving circle program. With thought, intention, information and strategy, the group met for a few short hours and granted funds to Jewish Family & Community Services East Bay and Pars Equality Center.
co-chairs: Andi Frenkel, Wendy Miller
Rahn Basche Kim Brummer Cynthia Cohan Nancy Dobronsky
Mimi Ezray Yael Goshen Elaine Babayan Leff
Elena Shvarts Shannon Stein Beth Wenger
Participants of the fourth funding cycle of the Chai Giving Circle have chosen Juvenile Justice Reform as the main focus. Funds were granted to Fresh Lifeline for Youth, New Door Ventures and Young Women’s Freedom Center.
Co-chairs: ellen brown, Andi Frenkel, rebecca shomair
Leslie Behar Kim Boyanowski Maddy Chaleff Mimi Ezray Myra Gilfix Yael Goshen Karen Gould Liza Hausman Patty Krigel
Lori Krolik Esther Levy Lucy Milgram Wendy Miller Stacey Newman Aliza Peleg Orli Rinat Rivi Rochkin Susan Steiner Saal
Sara Schnell Pam Shames Elana Shvarts Mimi Spier Shannon Stein Judith Stubbs Beth Wenger Deborah Wexler
Participants focused their learning on two key areas: mental health and housing insecurity, each with a sub-focus on girls. Funds were granted to Shalom Bayit, Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC), Unity Care Group and Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS).
Co-chairs: Maddy Chaleff, Rebecca Shomair
Leslie Behar Kim Boyanowski Ellen Brown Mimi Ezray Andi Frenkel Karen Gould Liza Hausman Sara Janzen
Erica Katz Sharon Leslie Linor Levav Wendy Miller Stacey Newman Orli Rinat Rivi Rochkind Susan Steiner Saal
Sara Schnell Jodi Schwartz Pam Shames Shannon Stein Andrea Stern Beth Wenger Karen Zuckerberg
This cohort of Chai Giving Circle learned about social justice issues in the local, South Bay community, specifically as they relate to hunger and food insecurity. Members worked together to make impactful decisions while infusing Jewish values into their philanthropic discussions. They ultimately granted funds to Ecumenical Hunger Program, MAZON and Project WeHOPE.
Participants and Funders:
Chair: Michelle Sandberg
Tavi Alcheck Leslie Behar Ronit Bodner Maddy Chaleff Jennifer Dibrienza Andi Frenkel
Tricia Herrick Vanessa Hood Jonna Hunter Lauren Kutcher Sharon Leslie Susan Steiner Saal
Rebecca Shomair Emily Waldorf Hilary Weisfeld Emily Wessler
Participants from the inaugural giving circle focused on three pressing, relevant issues: reproductive justice, religious and racial tolerance and immigration rights. Ultimately the group granted funds to the Center for Reproductive Rights, If | When | How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice, Center for Gender and Refugee Studies and Facing History and Ourselves.